OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) – The Omaha City Council is set to vote Tuesday on whether to demolish an abandoned hotel near 108th and L.
A proposed settlement would have the city cover the $310,000 demolition cost without reimbursement from the property owner, Newport Blue Impact.
In late 2025, the city had planned to tear down the deteriorating building and recover the costs from the owner. However, those plans were halted after the company filed a lawsuit to stop the demolition.
District 5 Councilmember Don Rowe acknowledged concerns about the city bearing the cost but said he still supports the plan.
“Yeah, that’s one of the concerns that I have about it, but I’m okay with it,” Rowe said. “The city attorney determined this property really needs to be demolished. We don’t want the neighbors to have to deal with this anymore.”
Neighbors have raised safety concerns about the property for years. Sandy Trimmer, who has lived in the nearby Aspen Lofts for more than a decade, said action is long overdue.
“Oh, heck, yes. They need to demolish it. The city needs to do something. They need to make it safe,” Trimmer said.
Edgar Rockwood also expressed concerns about safety in the area.
“I have two grandbabies,” Rockwood said. “They’re not going to play over there, but you never know if those people might wander down this way sometime. You know, and who knows what could happen.”
Trimmer said she has voiced concerns for years without feeling heard. If the demolition is approved, she believes it will finally bring change.
“Yeah. Then I will be very, very happy,” Trimmer said.
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